National coach approves as Arsenal told why target will shine in Arteta system Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has given a glowing reference to his compatriot Martin Odegaard, who is reportedly close to signing for Arsenal. The Gunners are supposedly in advanced talks (via Sky Sports News) about signing the Real Madrid midfielder. The deal is likely to be a loan spell until the end of the season to add vital creativity to Mikel Arteta’s team. While Emile Smith Rowe has made his name in recent weeks, Arsenal were aware of the need for more reinforcements. Speaking to VG, Solbakken praised his fellow countryman for showing self-confidence in seeking pastures new. The 22-year-old has struggled for match action this season, making only seven LaLiga appearances. “First of all if it happens I think it shows that Martin has an extremely high confidence in himself, considering he is going into a new league and a team that, although they have improved a lot lately, had some good wins and climbed the table,” Solbakken said. “But it is a great team with great traditions that has underperformed for a while now, they are rebuilding. “I think they have a very good manager. I like Arteta and the way he tries to set up the team. “But he is not coming to a club that is a self-propelled machine in any kind of way. He is coming to another culture, another country, a different tempo. “It shows that the boy has great belief in what he is doing. That makes me happy.” While Odegaard has struggled for match action under Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane, Solbacken insisted that he would be a good fit in Arteta‘s side. Solbacken tips Odegaard to shine “I think the way Arsenal play can fit him very well. They play different formations and a kind of football that should suit him,” he said. “He can also play in different roles in the midfield depending on which formation Arteta chooses. “He will also get runs in front of him so that he can make assists and be a good team player.” Should Odegaard sign for the Gunners, he will add another exciting dimension to the team’s attack, following Smith Rowe’s emergence since Christmas. His presence has directly related to Arsenal winning five of their last six games. READ MORE: Arsenal plot shock swoop for Southampton star to fill priority role The post National coach approves as Arsenal told why target will shine in Arteta system appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has given a glowing reference to his compatriot Martin Odegaard, who is reportedly close to signing for Arsenal.

The Gunners are supposedly in advanced talks (via Sky Sports News) about signing the Real Madrid midfielder.

The deal is likely to be a loan spell until the end of the season to add vital creativity to Mikel Arteta’s team. While Emile Smith Rowe has made his name in recent weeks, Arsenal were aware of the need for more reinforcements.

Speaking to VG, Solbakken praised his fellow countryman for showing self-confidence in seeking pastures new.

The 22-year-old has struggled for match action this season, making only seven LaLiga appearances.

“First of all if it happens I think it shows that Martin has an extremely high confidence in himself, considering he is going into a new league and a team that, although they have improved a lot lately, had some good wins and climbed the table,” Solbakken said.

“But it is a great team with great traditions that has underperformed for a while now, they are rebuilding.

“I think they have a very good manager. I like Arteta and the way he tries to set up the team.

“But he is not coming to a club that is a self-propelled machine in any kind of way. He is coming to another culture, another country, a different tempo.

“It shows that the boy has great belief in what he is doing. That makes me happy.”

While Odegaard has struggled for match action under Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane, Solbacken insisted that he would be a good fit in Arteta‘s side.

Solbacken tips Odegaard to shine

“I think the way Arsenal play can fit him very well. They play different formations and a kind of football that should suit him,” he said.

“He can also play in different roles in the midfield depending on which formation Arteta chooses.

“He will also get runs in front of him so that he can make assists and be a good team player.”

Should Odegaard sign for the Gunners, he will add another exciting dimension to the team’s attack, following Smith Rowe’s emergence since Christmas.

His presence has directly related to Arsenal winning five of their last six games.

READ MORE: Arsenal plot shock swoop for Southampton star to fill priority role

The post National coach approves as Arsenal told why target will shine in Arteta system appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Jonny Whitfield